USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 8
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WHEN the disastrous intelligence of the fall of Ticonderoga reached the Vermont council of safety, they despatched pressing letters to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, setting forth their exposed condition, and urging those states for assistance. The New Hampshire council immediately convened the legislature, and that body placing a large force under com- mand of General Stark, directed him to re- pair to Charleston, on the Connecticut River, and there consult with the Vermont council as
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1777.
to the forwarding of supplies, and the conduct of future operations. He was instructed to act in conjunction with the troops of Vermont, or any other state, or of the United States, in such manner as, in his opinion, would most effectually stop the operations of the enemy. This very broad exercise of discretion was given him in consequence of his independent position ; for disgusted with the neglect with which he con- ceived himself treated, in not being made a brigadier-general in the Continental army, Stark had just resigned his commission as colonel, and conceiving himself not amenable to command in the regular army, he had stipulated for this in- dependent command. This was another of the many difficulties which Congress had with its officers ; but in the result it proved a fortunate circumstance.
The news of the Ticonderoga disaster caused amazement every where, and no little indigna- tion. In Congress the retreat was made the subject of warm animadversion; and the recall of all the officers was ordered, and only sus- pended on the earnest expostulation of General Washington against leaving the northern army without officers. Subsequent inquiry, and a re- velation of the comparative weakness of the garrison and the strength of the besiegers, caused the officers to be exonerated from all blame.
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SCHUYLER'S MEASURES.
1777.]
General Schuyler, who, as previously stated, was absent forwarding supplies when Ticonde- roga was taken, was on his return when he heard of the fall of that important post, and of the loss of Skeensboro. He set about immediately staying the mischief with a fortitude and in- dustry most commendable, and employed the forced respite which Burgoyne gave him, in de- stroying bridges, breaking up roads, sinking ob- structions in the navigable creeks, and felling trees across the road. So effectually was this work done, that when the British army moved forward from Skeensboro, they were often occupied twenty-four hours in advancing one mile. The horses and draught cattle were driven off, and the passage of the British from Skeensboro to Fort Edward on the Hudson, delayed them until the 29th of July. General Schuyler had mean- while crossed the river and retreated first to Sa- ratoga, and then to Stillwater, where he encamp- ed on a rising ground called Behmus Heights.
General Burgoyne now issued a second procla- mation. As the petition of Vermont for admis- sion into the Union had been so cavalierly treat- ed, the British general counted the juncture a good one to establish Skeene's new province, and summoned delegates to meet at Castleton, to confer with the gallant major on that subject. But Governor Skeene's title never was acknow- ledged in any instrument except his commission
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. 1777.
and Burgoyne's proclamation. Unkindly as the Green Mountain Boys conceived themselves to have been treated, they were not yet ready for the royal protection ; and the only effect which Burgoyne's proclamation produced, was to call out a counter-manifesto from General Schuyler.
The disasters which had so dispirited the American army now began to change to the British. The Americans were reinforced, and their spirits were raised by the defeat of an attempt of the British and Indians to seize Fort Schuyler, at the western boundary of the New York settlements. The Indian allies deserted the British, and after one or two brilliant skir- mishes the siege was raised.
General Stark had now at Manchester a force of 1400 men, 600 of whom were Green Mountain Boys, under Colonel Warner. Schuyler wrote to him repeatedly to join the main army; but Stark, in pursuance of the discretion allowed to him by his New Hampshire commission, chose to remain where he was. Schuyler represented this insubordination to Congress ; and on the 19th of August that body passed a resolution censuring the course pursued by New Hampshire, in giving General Stark a separate command, and re- questing that he should be instructed to conform himself to the same rules to which other general officers of the militia were subject.
General Stark, whose patriotism outweighed
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1777.] DIFFICULTIES OF BURGOYNE.
his resentment, while he moved toward the post indicated by General Schuyler, still moved at his leisure. He was with his regiment at Benning- ton, longing for an opportunity to do something upon his own account, when an occasion present- ed itself. Burgoyne had found his position at- tended with great difficulties. His supplies from Canada were irregular, and not one-third of the horses on which he had counted had arrived. The judicious measures of General Schuyler had so consumed the time of the British army, that their stores were nearly expended ; and, as he was compelled to keep the road open behind him to forward provisions, the detachments necessary for this purpose weakened his army for active operations. In this difficulty a supply must be had from some source. A depot of provisions and other stores was established at Bennington for the American army, and with this Burgoyne proposed to replenish his magazines. It was reported to be guarded only by militia, and the sentiments of a majority of the residents were furthermore stated to be hostile to the American · cause. We are not in possession of absolute facts for the opinion, but it seems exceedingly probable that the irritation of the Green Moun- tain Boys at their treatment by Congress may have given rise to expressions which induced Burgoyne to doubt their attachment to the United States.
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HISTORY .OF VERMONT. [1777.
Colonel Baum, with five hundred European troops, some American loyalists and Indian auxiliaries, was detached on this service. An- other detachment under Colonel Breyman was advanced as a reserve. "General Stark, at Ben- nington, heard of the approach of a body of Indians, and despatched a detachment under
Colonel Greg, to arrest their proceedings. It was soon discovered that these savages were the advance party of Colonel Baum's command. General Stark instantly sent an express to Colo- nel Warner, to hasten to his aid, and also called upon the militia of the vicinity to join him with all possible despatch.
On the morning of the 14th of August, Ge- neral Stark, with the force at his command, ad- vanced to meet Colonel Baum, and on the way met Colonel Greg in retreat before the enemy. Stark immediately formed in order of battle, and Colonel Baum perceiving that the Americans were in too great strength to be attacked by his present force, halted, and despatched an express to Colonel Breyman for assistance. General Stark finding his position unfavourable for an engagement, chose a better position, about a mile in the rear. Here it was resolved in a council of war to attack Baum at once, before he could receive reinforcements, and the next day was appointed for the engagement. That day, how- ever, proved rainy; and beyond frequent skir-
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1777.] BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.
mishes of small parties, in which the spirits of the Americans were much raised by success, no- thing was done. Baum, meanwhile, improved the delay to intrench himself in his camp, and fortify his position. The rain and the state of the roads delayed Breyman's march.
On the morning of the 16th, General Stark, having been joined by some Massachusetts mi- litia, determined on an attack, although Colonel Warner had not yet arrived. Drawing out his forces, he made the very brief speech to them which is familiar to all readers of American his- tory : "Boys, there they are ! We beat to-day, or Sally Stark's a widow !" The attack on the entrenchments was made in four points at once. It is stated by some authorities, that so confi- dent were the Tory provincials under Baum's command, of the attachment of the country to the royal cause, that while Stark was making dispositions for an attack, they sup- posed his men to be armed loyalists, coming to join them.
This error was soon discovered. The four . divisions, numbering in all about eight hundred men, made their attack almost simultaneously. The Indian allies of the British, with their cha- racteristic poltroonery, where hard fighting and no plunder was the prospect, fled at the com- mencement of the attack. The German troops fought like lions, and when their ammunition was
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1777.
expended, rushed to the charge, led by their gallant leader, Colonel Baum. After two hours of close and severe contest the victory was com- plete, and the whole British detachment, except the Indians and the loyalists, who took to the woods, were either killed or taken prisoners.
Just as Stark's men had fallen into the confu- sion of victory, which is scarcely less than that of defeat, the alarm was given that Colonel Breyman was rapidly approaching. Fortunately, at this precise juncture, Colonel Warner also arrived ; and the two bodies of reserve, not reach- ing in season to join the first encounter, renewed the battle. General Stark collected his men, and hastened to the assistance of Warner. The battle was continued till sunset, when the British force gave way, abandoning their baggage and artillery. The Americans pursued them until dark, and thus closed the famous battle of Ben- nington-a victory most opportune, and the pre- lude of more successes.
The American loss was only fourteen killed, and forty-two wounded. The British loss was about two hundred killed, and over six hundred prisoners, a thousand stand of arms, four pieces of artillery, and a thousand dragoon swords. But the moral effect of such success was a great deal the most important. The prestige of in- vincibility with which the timid had begun to in- vest the British army was taken from it; and
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1777.] BURGOYNE'S INSTRUCTIONS.
the trained soldiers of Europe were taught how raw troops could fight for their altars and fire- sides. The patriotism of Vermont was vindi- cated, and the hope of the enemy in the de- fection of the settlers was dissipated. How sanguine this expectation was on the part of Burgoyne, may be judged from Colonel Baum's instructions, a copy of which fell into the hands of General Stark. These instructions directed Colonel Baum to "proceed through the New Hampshire grants, cross the mountains with Peter's corps, (levies,) and the Indians, from Rockingham to Otter Creek; to get horses, car- riages, and cattle, and mount Reidesel's dragoons ; to go down Connecticut River as far as Brattle- boro, and return by the great road to Albany, there to meet General Burgoyne; to endeavour to make the country believe it was the advance body of the general's army, who was to cross Connecticut River and proceed to Boston ; and that at Springfield they were to be joined by the troops from Rhode Island. All officers, civil and military, acting under Congress, to be made prisoners. To tax the towns where they halted for such articles as they wanted, and to take hostages for the performance. To bring all horses fit to mount the dragoons, or to serve as battalion horses for the troops, with as many saddles and bridles as can be found. The num- ber of horses requisite, besides those for the dra-
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1777.
goons, ought to be thirteen hundred ; if you can bring more, so much the better. The horses must be tied in strings of ten each, so that one man may lead ten horses," &c. &c.
We question whether instructions ever fell farther short of fulfilment than did those of the unfortunate Colonel Baum. We have quoted them to show what an egregiously false estimate General Burgoyne had formed of the character of the inhabitants and of the resources of the country. The news of the failure of the attack upon Fort Schuyler close following upon the Bennington defeat, very much depressed the spirits of the royal army. In a private letter of Burgoyne's, dated August 20th, he says : " The New Hampshire grants in particular, a country unpeopled and almost unknown in the last war, now abound in the most active and most rebellious race on the continent, who hang like a gathering storm upon my left." As the confidence of the British decreased, that of the Americans was restored, and recruits now came into the American camp in large numbers.
At the time of the passage of the resolution in Congress recalling the general officers in the northern army, General Washington was request- ed to name a successor to General Schuyler. The commander-in-chief declined to make the nomination, and Congress appointed General Gates. General Schuyler very keenly felt this
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APPOINTMENT OF GATES.
1777.]
mortification, but with a magnanimity which does him high honour he continued his exertions in forwarding the operations of the campaign. His services in retrieving or arresting the dis- asters which followed the loss of Ticonderoga, though necessarily of a nature to give him no public eclat, were of vast advantage to his coun- try ; and although his personal unpopularity with the New England men made his removal from the command a matter of expedience, if not of necessity, his services are not now overlooked by his countrymen.
General Gates arrived at Stillwater, and as- sumed the command on the 19th of August, just at the time when the turning tide made every thing propitious for the American cause. He instantly availed himself of his advantages, and being seconded by large bodies of volun- teers, eager for service, soon reduced the condi- tion of Burgoyne to the defensive. The New England militia, under the command of General Lincoln, surprised all the outposts of the enemy on Lake George, except Ticonderoga, taking nearly three hundred prisoners, liberating a hundred Americans, and destroying what muni- tions, boats, and stores they could not carry away. Their loss in these affairs was only three killed and five wounded. As Burgoyne moved, detachments of the Americans, principally mi- litia and volunteers, were constantly cutting off
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1777.
his supplies, and breaking up his lines of com- munication. On the 13th and 14th of Septem- ber he crossed the Hudson, and advanced toward the American army. To prevent being cut off in detail, it had become necessary that he should decide the fate of the campaign in a general en- gagement.
The Americans as they retreated had blocked roads and destroyed bridges, and the advance of General Burgoyne was necessarily slow, the strength and patience of his soldiers being sorely tried by these delays and difficulties. De- sertions now became frequent, from the refugee or provincial regiments, who began to discover the mistake into which they had fallen.
On the 19th of September occurred the memo- rable battle of Stillwater. Burgoyne had ad- vanced and encamped within four miles of the American lines. There appears to have been a well-weighed hesitancy on both sides, as to
hazarding a battle. The Americans respected the discipline and courage of the foreign troops ; and the British commander felt like a man at bay, confident of his desperate courage, but fearful that it would avail him little. On the 18th, the show of challenge was made by the Americans. On the 19th, the same course was taken by Burgoyne. The accidental meeting of two scouting parties brought on the general en- gagement which the respective commanders had
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1777.] BATTLE OF STILLWATER.
desired, and yet hesitated to provoke. General Burgoyne at the head of the right wing of the British army, advanced toward the left of the Ame- ricans, while another detachment menaced their right. An accidental encounter precipitated the meeting of the two armies.
No sooner was the firing of the scouts heard, than the advanced parties of each army pressed forward. The events of the day are thus graphi- cally summed by Thompson, in his History of Vermont : " Reinforcements were continually sent on upon both sides, and the engagement be- came obstinate and general. The first attempt of the Americans was to turn the right wing of the British army, and flank their line. Failing in this, they moved in regular order to the left, and there made a furious assault. Both armies were determined to conquer, and the battleraged without intermission for three hours. . Any ad- vantage upon one side was soon counterbalanced by an equal advantage on the other. Cannon, and favourable positions were taken, løst, and retaken in quick succession ; and the two armies might be compared to the two scales of a mighty balance, trembling with equal burdens in doubt- ful oscillation, and, had not night put an end to the contest, it is doubtful which would have pre- ponderated." It appears from collating the ac- counts of the battle, that each army succeeded best in repelling attacks. Assailing parties
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1777.
were vigorously resisted, but when pursued to the lines, the pursuers in turn were driven back. Both parties claimed the victory, and each be- lieved itself to have been engaged with only a part of its own force with nearly the whole of the enemy. The loss of the Americans was sixty-four killed, and two hundred and sixty wounded and missing. The loss of the British has been estimated at rather more than five hundred men, killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Americans returned to their camp; the British slept upon the ground.
The victory was claimed by the British since they had retained possession of the field, but the Americans asserted the same claim. What- ever may be the technical answer to the problem, the solid advantage was with the Americans. To the British general any thing less than a de- cisive victory was a defeat. To the Americans, the check to the advancing army which they had effected, was a victory. But of far greater con- sequence was the impression which the heroic' conduct of the Americans made upon the British forces. The impromptu soldiers, whom they despised as "forever unworthy of their steel," had astonished them by their fierce bravery and resolute conduct The desertion of provincials, Canadians, and Indians from Burgoyne now in- creased, and he was driven to the conclusion
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1777.]
BATTLE OF 7TH OCTOBER.
that his European soldiers were the only men upon whom he could place any reliance.
On the next day after the battle, General Burgoyne changed his position to one almost within cannon-shot of the American camp, and fortified himself there, keeping his communica- tion with the river open. Thus the two armies remained from the 20th of September, until the 7th of October ; the American army constantly receiving accessions, and the British continually diminishing. The force now at Gates's command enabled him to post detachments in all the avenues of escape or retreat, and General Bur- goyne's position became most critical. He still hoped for aid from Sir Henry Clinton, who was forcing his way up the Hudson; but having only a few days' provision in camp, he was compelled again to try his strength with the Americans. He put himself at the head of fifteen hundred regulars, to cover the operations of a foraging party. General Gates immediately made his dispositions for an attack, and assailed General Burgoyne at three points at once, and almost succeeded in cutting off his return to his camp. Overpowered by numbers, and with the loss of his field-pieces, and a great part of his artillery corps, Burgoyne with difficulty retreated to his entrenchments. Two hundred prisoners, and nine pieces of cannon were taken by the Ame- ricans. A part of the British works was also
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1777.
carried, and when night put an end to the battle, the Americans remained in possession. The whole loss of the British was four hundred men, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and among the dead and wounded were several officers of note. Arnold, who was conspicuous in the American line, though without a command, was badly wounded in leading an assault within the en- trenchments.
No more military operations of consequence occurred. General Burgoyne, in the night after the battle, withdrew from the works, which were partly in the possession of the Americans, and drew up his army in the order of battle on some high grounds in the rear. From this position he was compelled to retreat to avoid being surround- ed, and accordingly on the night of the 8th of October he removed again, and on the evening of the next day reached Saratoga. The project of abandoning the baggage, and with arms in hand forcing a retreat to Canada, was discussed, but upon examination found impracticable. Hem- med in on all hands, Burgoyne had no choice but surrender, which he did on the 16th of Oc- tober. He was allowed to march out of camp with the honours of war. General Gates, being advised of the progress of the relief designed for Burgoyne, pressed the capitulation, without making difficulty about terms; and the victors treated the vanquished with the most considerate
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1777.] SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE.
kindness. The prisoners were five thousand, six hundred and forty-two. The previous losses of the British had been nearly four thousand; and thus was this fine army, which entered the country with such an imposing front, completely disposed of.
The British garrison at Ticonderoga retreated at once to Canada. The expedition to relieve Burgoyne, which had advanced up the river within fifty miles of Albany, fell back to New York, upon hearing of Burgoyne's capitulation. Gene- ral Gates was ordered to other points with the regular army, the volunteers returned to their homes, and the country in Vermont and vicinity was no more the scene of any important opera- tions during the War of the Revolution. While having less to attach themselves to the cause than any other part of the country, and contend- ing with single states and with the United States for their very existence, the inhabitants of Ver- mont showed a constancy in their patriotism which entitled them to the highest honour. We have already quoted the testimony of General Burgoyne to their character. In the capture of the British army, they performed an important part, as they had previously done in the invasion of Canada by the American forces.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1777.
CHAPTER XI.
Delay in the organization of the Vermont state government- Reassembling of the convention-Recognition by New Hampshire-First election of assemblymen-Continued op- position of New York-Proclamation of Governor Clinton -Steady course of Vermont-Answer of Ethan Allen to Governor Clinton-Constitution of Vermont-Its original features-Modifications-Simple forms of legislation-Go- vernor Chittenden-Anecdote of the Landlord Governor- Biographical notice-Summary of his character-First meet- ing of the Vermont legislature-Embarrassing proposals from sixteen towns in New Hampshire-Adjournment of the legislators to consult their constituents-The sixteen towns received into union-Remonstrance of New Hamp- shire-Appeals to Congress-Colonel Ethan Allen visits Philadelphia to consult with the members-New York dif- ficulty-Vermont hesitates to perfect the union-Secession of a portion of her legislators-They convene to form a new state-Vermont cuts off the sixteen towns-New Hampshire and New York each claim the whole of her territory-In- . . terference of Massachusetts.
PREVIOUS to its adjournment, the convention which met at Windsor in July, 1777, appointed a day in December following, for the election of representatives, to meet at Windsor in January. But the invasion of Burgoyne so much occupied people's thoughts and attention that the consti- tution was not printed in season for the people to understand and hold their first meeting under it. Many of the f the frontier settlements of Ver-
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151
1777.] MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
mont were broken up after the retreat of the Americans from Canada, in 1776, and during the confusion of the following year. It is re- markable that the new state kept up even the form of organization at such a crisis, and amid such confusion. It was only done by perfect confi- dence in the leaders, and by their worthiness of the trust reposed in them. The council of safety, finding that the election could not take place at the time appointed, called together again the convention which had framed the constitution. That body assembled, revised the instrument which they had passed at the former meeting, and directed the first election under it to take place in March following, and the first meeting of the legislature in the same month. The
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